[Congressional Bills 110th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2796 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







110th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 2796

To require a pilot program on the use of community-based organizations 
 to ensure that veterans receive the care and benefits they need, and 
                          for other purposes.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 2, 2008

   Mr. Akaka introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
             referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To require a pilot program on the use of community-based organizations 
 to ensure that veterans receive the care and benefits they need, and 
                          for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. PILOT PROGRAM ON USE OF COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS TO 
              ENSURE THAT VETERANS RECEIVE NEEDED CARE AND BENEFITS.

    (a) Pilot Program Required.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs 
shall carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and 
advisability of using community-based organizations to ensure that 
veterans receive the care and benefits that they need by using such 
organizations--
            (1) to increase the coordination of providers of health 
        care and benefits for veterans to assist veterans who are 
        transitioning from military service to civilian life in such 
        transition;
            (2) to increase the availability of high quality medical 
        and mental health services to veterans transitioning from 
        military service to civilian life; and
            (3) to provide assistance to families of veterans who are 
        transitioning from military service to civilian life to help 
        such families adjust to such veterans in their transition.
    (b) Duration of Program.--The pilot program shall be carried out 
during the two-year period beginning on the date of the enactment of 
this Act.
    (c) Program Locations.--
            (1) In general.--The pilot program shall be carried out at 
        five Department of Veterans Affairs medical centers selected by 
        the Secretary for purposes of the pilot program.
            (2) Considerations.--In selecting locations for the pilot 
        program, the Secretary shall consider the advisability of 
        selecting Department medical centers that are located in--
                    (A) rural areas; and
                    (B) areas with populations that have a high 
                proportion of minority groups and individuals who have 
                experienced significant disparities in their receipt of 
                health care.
    (d) Grants.--The Secretary shall carry out the pilot program 
through the award of grants to community-based organizations.
    (e) Selection of Grant Recipients.--A community-based organization 
seeking a grant under the pilot program shall submit to the Secretary 
of Veterans Affairs an application therefor in such form and in such 
manner as the Secretary considers appropriate.
    (f) Use of Grant Funds.--In using grant funds for purposes of the 
pilot program, a community-based organization may use such funds for 
purposes as follows:
            (1) To provide local telephone hotlines.
            (2) To organize veterans for networking.
            (3) To assist veterans in preparing applications for 
        benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
            (4) To provide assistance to families of veterans who are 
        transitioning from military service to civilian life to help 
        such families adjust to such veterans in their transition.
            (5) To provide outreach for veterans and their families to 
        connect them with appropriate care and benefit programs.
            (6) To coordinate the efforts of providers of health care 
        and benefits for veterans in providing assistance to veterans 
        who are transitioning from military service to civilian life.
            (7) To carry out such other activities and provide such 
        other services as may be appropriate for purposes of the pilot 
        program.
    (g) Report on Program.--
            (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the 
        completion of the pilot program, the Secretary shall submit to 
        Congress a report on the pilot program.
            (2) Elements.--The report required by paragraph (1) shall 
        include the following:
                    (A) The findings and conclusions of the Secretary 
                with respect to the pilot program.
                    (B) An assessment of the benefits to veterans of 
                the pilot program.
                    (C) The recommendations of the Secretary as to the 
                advisability of continuing the pilot program.
                                 <all>